Rest, experience have Bruins winger Phil Kessel at the top of his game

Thursday

Apr 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMApr 30, 2009 at 12:51 PM

Kessel, the third-year Bruin who led the team with 36 goals, has continued to score in the postseason. Teammates say it’s because the 22-year -old forward has learned how to compete consistently at the NHL level.

Mike Loftus

Consider it an example of why the 82-game regular season does, in fact, mean something.

About a month ago, after helping the Boston Bruins emerge from their only significant slump of the season, Phil Kessel was given five games off to allow an injury to heal.

Had the B’s not re-padded their cushion atop the Eastern Conference standings, or if they had been fighting to qualify, maybe Kessel would have returned a little sooner, at less than 100 percent health, and gone into the playoffs in that condition.

His return has bordered on spectacular. Dressed for three of the regular season’s final four games, he scored five goals to complete a 36-goal season despite losing a total of 12 games to injury or illness after he had contracted mononucleosis in January.

In Boston’s first-round sweep of Montreal, Kessel scored at least one point in all four games, and had at least one goal in all but Game 2.

“It’s not a privilege to sit out because of injury,” head coach Claude Julien said, “but he had the opportunity to sit out, and he came back with lots of energy.”

He scored the first of the series, taking the puck toward traffic near the net, then following his shot to convert a loose puck from the crease. In Game 3 at Montreal, Kessel’s tip-in with 1:25 left in the first period erased the Canadiens’ first lead of the series.

Kessel’s final goal, scored halfway through the second period of Game 4, stretched Boston’s lead to two goals.

“He stepped up in Game 1, and it sort of rolled over from there,” Savard said. “I think (the Game 3 goal) was the biggest, scoring late in the period like that, after Montreal threw everything they had at us.”

Now it’s Carolina’s turn to throw everything it can at the Bruins, and the Hurricanes will have to move fast if they want to reach Kessel.

“He’s been really good,” said linemate P.J. Axelsson. “He’s got such an eye for the net, which is one of his strengths. The other one is skating. He really has his legs right now.”

Kessel says he hasn’t altered a thing.

“Obviously, some days you have better legs than other days,” said Kessel, “but you don’t change your skating. When it’s your bread and butter, that never changes.

“I just go out and play. I don’t think I’ve changed my game.”

His linemates don’t necessarily agree. They see a third-year player skating into, and shooting from different areas than before. Kessel may play right wing, but he has found the middle and the left side of the ice.

“I think the coaches have stressed to him to change up, do some different things,” Savard said. “Other teams watch video, and they’re going to notice stuff. Phil’s been able to (add) things, and it’s worked out well.”

Axelsson thinks Kessel, 22, has simply begun to better understand the demands of the NHL, and how to best utilize his talents.

“It takes a little time to learn how to compete at this level every night,” Axelsson said. “When you come in as a 19-year-old, it’s not that easy. I think he’s figuring the league out, and what he has to do to score goals.”

Famously benched for Games 2 through 4 of last year’s first round against Montreal despite 19 regular-season goals (third-best on Boston’s then offense-starved roster) Kessel nonetheless has a backer in Julien, who calls Kessel “a game-breaker.”

“He continues to grow as an elite player,” said the coach. “He’s been pushing himself, and we’ve been pushing him to continue to get better. He’s taken a real good attitude this year at accepting that responsibility.

“I think he’s had a great year, ... but I think there’s still a lot more in him. Time and experience is going to make him a better player.”

Kessel must negotiate a new contract this summer, but the only time he cares about is the present, and the only experience that concerns him is the playoffs.

After scoring three goals against Montreal in Games 5 through 7 last year, Kessel has seven goals in seven career playoff contests.

“In the playoffs, it’s a different game,” he said. “Obviously, you’re trying really hard out there. You’re playing to win the Stanley Cup, so you’ve got to rise to the occasion, try to play the best hockey you can.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.